✹ MEMBER PROFILE
“I'M PROUDEST OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE I’VE HAD—FOR CHANGING THE IDEA OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE ONE WITH THE OCEAN.”
In fact, she considers it her kuleana to give back to the ocean that has given her so much. “I'm proud- est of the environmental influence I’ve had—for changing the idea of what it means to be one with the ocean,” she said. Back in the early ‘90s, when one-man races were just starting to be included in ocean races, Kahakui began noticing more dolphins swimming, more whales breaching, more turtles gliding and subsequently, she spent a lot of time reflecting. She thought more about how much as paddlers—as humans—we were (or weren’t) giving back to the ocean. She says, “Without the ocean, we wouldn't be able to do what we do or be who we are.” Therefore, for decades, she’s also been using her talents to raise awareness and money for envi- ronmental causes. She’s so passionate about pro- tecting the ocean and all that lives within it that she’s made it her life’s work. She spent nearly 30 years as a federal agent, first for the U.S. Treasury, then transferred to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She worked with the Criminal Investigations Division to enforce environmental laws within the state. On top of that, she served on the Board of Directors for Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund. In 1997, she launched the nonprofit organi- zation Kai Makana, which roughly translates to “gift from the sea.” The volunteer-run nonprofit promotes ocean education and preservation. To draw more attention to the cause so near and dear to her heart, she participated in several solo long distance paddles, continuously pushing herself and always keeping Ka Makani’s mission in mind. In 1999, she was the first person to paddle 130 miles from Big Island to O‘ahu in just three
Living Legend. It was di°cult for Kahakui to accept that she was being inducted into the Hawai‘i Waterman Hall of Fame, “due to the same graciousness and humil² that she has—just like Duke Kahanamoku,” said Billy Pra, as he welcomed her to the stage. Right: Outrigger’s winning Freshmen Women’s crew at the Kamehameha Day Regaa: Chris³ Greenwell, Jackie Muller, Pam Cli´ord, Donna Kahakui, Jana Arakaki and MIssy Mowat.
24 AMA | march / april 2023
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